Third event adding second day
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Slowly and surely, Turtlefest is growing.
A press release issued by The Turtlefest Committee indicates over 4,500 people attended last year’s 2nd Annual Turtlefest. Based on this success and support from title co-sponsors, it is doubling in terms of days of duration this summer from its inception as a one-day festival.
The 3rd Annual Turtlefest will begin on Friday, June 14, and carry on through Saturday, June 15.
In conjunction with this announcement, the Turtlefest committee is also pleased to announce title co-sponors have surfaced, supporting an expanded event.
Local businesses Southern Ontario Printing Ltd. and Bamford Homes Inc. will be ‘shelling out’ in financial support of the third annual festival.
“Cephas can be persistent,” said Les Anderson, Owner of Southern Ontario Printing Ltd. “And it is a good event.”
“It is good for the town,” added John Bamford. “And we’re pleased to be able to support my home community.”
“This is an exciting day for both Turtlefest and the community as the support provided by Southern Ontario Printing Ltd. and Bamford Homes Inc. will enable the festival to expand significantly in its third year,” said Turtlefest Committee Chair Cephas Panschow via the press release. “I would like to thank the entire Turtlefest Committee for its support in securing this title co-sponsorship.”
Turtlefest is based on a legendary promise by Tillsonburg’s founder, George Tillson, to return as a turtle to see how the town was progressing. Several years after his passing, a giant turtle was found on the banks of the Otter Creek near the Tillson homestead. Tillsonburg citizens brought the turtle to the downtown core and invited the community to come and see ‘George’ and let him know how the town was doing.
Over 130 years passed between this event and the founding of Turtlefest, a time in which the community has grown, and continues to grow.
Turtlefest celebrates Tillsonburg’s historic past, vibrant present and promising future, and is already supported by what the press release indicates are ‘growing partnerships’ with the Downtown Tillsonburg Business Improvement Association, Lake Lisgar Revitalization Project Committee, the Station Arts Centre, the Tillsonburg Tri-County Agricultural Society (Fair Board) and a list of current sponsors. Further details will be provided on the expanded event as they become available.